Dons homer early in Chatsworth Tournament win

Santa Barbara baseball got an early jump offensively in a 9-5 win against Thousand Oaks at the Chatsworth Tournament held at El Camino Real High on Saturday.

Collin Dewell hit a three-run homer in the first inning, his third of the year, and Pepe Gil followed with a solo shot. Danny Zandona scored on a Nick Below single for the Dons’ fifth run of the inning.

“We jumped out early, which gave us a little more room for pitching,” said assistant coach Mike Cooney.

Below had a double, single, and 2 RBIs for the game, while Gil had a double to go with his home run. Zandona was 3-for-3 and Cameron Gniadek pitched in with a double and scored  two runs.

Dewell (3-2) pitched five innings, allowing only five runs, four singles, and struck out six. Zandona pitched the closing inning for the Dons, allowing zero runs to finish off the game.

Zandona will start for the Dons in their next game on Tuesday against Buena at home.

Santa Barbara moved to 12-4 overall, while Thousand Oaks dropped to 6-11.

Santa Barbara 9 Thousand Oaks 5
Thousand Oaks…000 104 0 — 5 8 2
Santa Barbara…510 030 0 –9 11 2
Lamberg, Fisher (4), Bracken (6) and Delaney. Dewell, Zandona (7) and Eaton. W-Dewell (3-2) L-Lamberg
2B-TO: Bollar, SB: Zandona, Gniadek, Gil, Below. HR-SB: Dewell, 1st inn., two on, Gil in 1st inn. none on